ATEEZ member San is experiencing a major boost in popularity following the success of BAD, with his group's schedules increasing significantly and new advertising opportunities coming his way.
On the October 24 broadcast of MBC's variety show The Manager, San and fellow ATEEZ member Hongjoong appeared as guests and discussed how their growing popularity has affected their careers.
When asked when they began to notice their rising fame, Hongjoong revealed that their workload had increased dramatically.
He shared, "We're actually doing about three times as many schedules as we used to."
Hongjoong also explained that San has been receiving more advertising opportunities, including brand campaigns that have not yet been revealed.
He said, "San has been filming advertisements in almost every category. There are also some that haven't been released yet."
His comments highlighted how the attention surrounding San and BAD has translated into greater commercial opportunities.
San then shared a personal experience that made him realize how widely his popularity had spread.
He recalled entering an elevator at his apartment building when an older man standing beside him suddenly recognized him.
According to San, the man unexpectedly began performing BAD in front of him.
San politely thanked him, but the man's response surprised him even more.
The man told him, "These days, I've been working out harder thanks to you."
The unexpected encounter showed San that his performance had reached people beyond ATEEZ's usual fanbase.
Hongjoong also joked about how frequently he had seen San's viral content online.
He said, "I was stuck in the algorithm for about two months, just seeing San's chest."
He added that even the ATEEZ members were surprised by the attention.
Hongjoong explained, "At some point, I started wondering, 'Is this what popularity feels like?' It was our first time experiencing something like this."
The conversation offered a glimpse into how San's rising individual recognition has created new opportunities while also bringing more attention to ATEEZ.
With schedules reportedly reaching three times their previous level and additional advertisements still awaiting release, San's growing popularity appears to be making a noticeable impact on his career.
The members' comments on The Manager also suggest that the success of BAD is continuing to generate attention beyond online performances and social media.
